Four of the Hottest New Cameras: Live from CES 2012

If there's a camera trend at CES 2012, it's Wi-Fi connectivity. Built-in wireless was a novelty act in past years, but it is now approaching a universal feature. In fact, the day may be fast-approaching when memory card readers are pointless, and computers are bypassed, as we e-mail and upload images and video directly from the camera. That's the future. For now, the biggest single piece of camera news had nothing to do with Wi-Fi.

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X-Pro1

You can gaze upon the X-Pro1, but you probably can't afford to touch it. Fujifilm's first foray into the interchangeable lens camera (ILC) category, shares the large sensor size, lens options, and compact profile of competing models, but costs three to four times more. It's estimated to run $1600 for the body, plus $600 and up for each of three lenses (compared to $600 for most ILCs, kit lens included), all available next month. Nine more lenses are planned through 2013.

How does Fujifilm justify such a premium? Because this camera is bound to be a lust object for professional photographers, and well-heeled amateurs due to its featherlight weight, magnesium components, and the new16-megapixel CMOS sensor. Fuji claims this sensor's larger color filter array should result in fewer false colors, and resolution that approaches the full-frame sensors found on bulkier DSLRs. The rest of us can ogle its rangefinder good looks, the gorgeous slab of aluminum, synthetic leather, and precision-milled dials and knobs that have become central to Fujifilm's reinvention, from yet-another-digicam maker, to purveyors of high-end, high-style cameras.

Samsung WB850F

Samsung WB850F

Samsung focused almost entirely on rolling out Wi-Fi to more of its cameras and camcorders, at least five of which can now automatically, wirelessly back up images and clips to a PC. The WB850F is the most feature-packed, with a 16.2-megapixed sensor, built-in GPS with geocaching, and direct upload to Facebook, Picasa and YouTube. The 850F can also hook up to the cloud, via Samsung's AllShare Play service, meant to share data across Samsung devices, or Microsoft's Sky Drive. And because hardware still matters, this compact model features the company's longest zoom lens to date, capable of 21x optical zoom. The 850F is due out in April, though the price hasn't been released.